Retaining wall anchoring system

ABSTRACT

A retaining wall anchoring system for a segmental retaining wall comprising a plurality of tieback rods adapted to be embedded into soil or rock with a proximal portion extending therefrom, at least one elongated force distribution member positionable directly adjacent the proximal portion of at least one of the tieback rods, a washer positionable about the proximal portions of the tieback rod in abutment with the force distribution member, and a fastener fixedly securable to the proximal portion of the tieback rod to securely clamp the washer against the force distribution member such that tensile forces imposed on the tieback rod are transmitted to the force distribution member so as to distribute these forces throughout a portion of the retaining wall.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

[0001] This application is a continuation of U.S. patent applicationSer. No. 09/261,420, filed Mar. 3, 1999, entitled “Retaining WallAnchoring System,” now U.S. Pat. No. 6,168,351, which, in turn, claimsthe benefit of the filing date of U.S. patent application Ser. No.08/846,440, filed Apr. 30, 1997, entitled “Retaining Wall and Method,”now U.S. Pat. No. 5,921,715, both of which are incorporated by referencein their entireties into the present disclosure.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0002] The invention relates generally to earth reinforcement. Moreparticularly, the invention relates to a segmental retaining wallanchoring system for securing segmental retaining walls.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0003] Segmental earth retaining walls are commonly used forarchitectural and site development applications. Such walls aresubjected to very high pressures exerted by lateral movements of thesoil, temperature and shrinkage effects, and seismic loads. Therefore,the backfill soil typically must be braced with tensile reinforcementmembers.

[0004] Often, elongated structures, commonly referred to as geogrids orreinforcement fabrics, are used to provide this reinforcement. Geogridsoften are configured in a lattice arrangement and are constructed of ametal or polymer, while reinforcement fabrics are constructed of wovenor nonwoven polymers (e.g., polymer fibers). These reinforcement memberstypically extend rearwardly from the wall and into the soil. The weightof the soil constrains the fabric from lateral movement to therebystabilize the retaining wall.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0005] Briefly described, the present invention relates to a retainingwall anchoring system for a segmental retaining wall comprising aplurality of tieback rods adapted to be embedded into soil or rock witha proximal portion extending therefrom. The system includes at least oneelongated force distribution member positionable directly adjacent theproximal portion of the tieback rods, at least one washer positionableabout the proximal portions of at least one tieback rod in abutment withthe force distribution member, and at least one fastener fixedlysecurable to the proximal portion of the tieback rod to securely clampthe washer against the force distribution member such that tensileforces imposed on the tieback rod are transmitted to the distributionmember so as to distribute these forces throughout a portion of theretaining wall.

[0006] The above described apparatus therefore can be used to constructa segmental retaining wall system comprising a retaining wall having aplurality of wall blocks stacked in ascending courses with a pluralityof the wall blocks being provided with interior openings that arealigned with each other to form an inner passageway within the retainingwall. The proximal portion of each tieback rod can be extended into theinner passageway formed within the retaining wall with the elongatedforce distribution member positioned within the inner passagewaydirectly adjacent the proximal portion of at least one of the tiebackrods, a washer positioned about the distal portion of the tieback rodsin abutment with the force distribution member, and a fastener fixedlysecured to the proximal portion of the tieback rods to securely clampthe washer against the force distribution member such that tensileforces imposed on the tieback rods are transmitted to the forcedistribution member so as to distribute the tensile forces throughout aportion of the retaining wall.

[0007] In addition, the apparatus can be used to construct a segmentalretaining wall system comprising a retaining wall having a plurality ofwall blocks stacked in ascending courses to form an interior surface andan exterior surface, a plurality of tieback rods adapted to be embeddedinto soil or rock with a proximal portion extending therefrom, theproximal portion of each tieback rod extending toward the interiorsurface of the retaining wall, at least one elongated force distributionmember positioned adjacent the interior surface of the retaining walland directly adjacent the proximal portion of at least one tieback rod,a washer positioned about the distal portion of the tieback rod inabutment with the force distribution member, a fastener fixedly securedto the proximal portion of the tieback rod to securely clamp the washeragainst the force distribution member, and a reinforcement memberconnected to the force distribution member and being securely attachedto the retaining wall such that tensile forces imposed on the tiebackrods are transmitted to the force distribution member and through thereinforcement member to the retaining wall so as to distribute thetensile forces throughout a portion of the retaining wall.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0008]FIG. 1 is a front view of a retaining wall secured with ananchoring system constructed in accordance with the present invention.

[0009]FIG. 2 is a partial cross-sectional view of a retaining wall whichshows a tieback connection of an anchoring system constructed inaccordance with the present invention.

[0010]FIG. 3 is a partial cross-sectional view of a retaining wallsecured with an anchoring system constructed in accordance with thepresent invention.

[0011]FIG. 4 is a partial cross-sectional view of a retaining wall whichshows a tieback connection of an anchoring system constructed inaccordance with the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0012] Referring now in detail to the drawings, in which like numeralsindicate corresponding parts throughout the several views, FIG. 1illustrates a modular retaining wall 10 secured with a first embodiment12 of an anchoring system constructed in accordance with the presentinvention. As depicted in this figure, the retaining wall 10 comprises aplurality of wall blocks 14 that are stacked atop each other inascending courses 16. When stacked in this manner, the wall blocks 14together form an exterior surface 18 of the wall 10 which facesoutwardly away from an earth embankment, and an interior surface 20 ofthe wall 10 which faces inwardly toward the embankment (FIG. 3).Typically, the blocks 14 are stacked in a staggered arrangement as shownin FIG. 1 to provide greater stability to the wall 10.

[0013] Generally speaking, the blocks 14 are substantially identical insize and shape for ease of block fabrication and wall construction,although it will be understood that unidentical blocks could be used,especially for cap blocks or base blocks. In a preferred configuration,each block 14 is configured so as to mate with at least one other block14 when the blocks are stacked atop one another to form the retainingwall 10. This mating restricts relative movement between verticallyadjacent blocks in at least one horizontal direction. To provide forthis mating, the blocks 14 can include locking means 22 (FIG. 2) thatsecure the blocks together to further increase wall stability. Moreparticularly, each block 14 can include a lock channel 24 and a lockflange 26 that are configured so as to positively lock with each otherwhen the blocks 14 are stacked on top of each another as disclosed inco-pending U.S. application Ser. No. 09/049,627, which is herebyincorporated by reference into the present disclosure. When the blocks14 include lock channels 24 and flanges 26, the individual lock channelstypically form a continuous lock channel that extends the length of thelower of two mating courses when the blocks are aligned side-by-sidewithin each course 16. Similarly, the lock flanges 26 form a continuouslock flange that extends the length of the upper of the mating courses16 which is received by the continuous lock channel of the lower of themating courses.

[0014] Although the blocks 14 preferably are provided with such lockingmeans 22, it will be appreciated that the anchoring system of thepresent invention can be used with substantially any segmental retainingwall blocks. By way of example, the present system could be used withany of the blocks produced by Anchor Wall Systems, Inc. such as anyblock of the Anchor Diamond® and/or Anchor Vertica® product lines, orany block disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,827,015, which is herebyincorporated by reference into the present disclosure. Moreover, thepresent system could be utilized with the segmental blocks produced byother manufacturers such as Keystone, Mesa, Versa-Lok, Newcastle, andPiza. Irrespective of the particular configuration of the wall blocks14, each of the wall blocks typically includes an interior opening 32that either extends through the block horizontally (side-to-side) orvertically (top-to-bottom). When the blocks 14 are correctly aligned intheir respective courses 16, these openings 32 form continuous elongatedpassageways 34. In that, as described below, the passageways 34typically are only used for anchoring system attachment, it is to beappreciated that only the blocks 14 that receive the system's componentsneed be provided with such openings 32.

[0015] As indicated in FIGS. 1-3, the retaining wall 10 is secured inseveral predetermined points with tieback connections 36. Typically,each tieback connection 36 is spaced approximately 10 feet aparthorizontally from each other to form rows of tieback connections thatare approximately 2.5 feet apart vertically from each other.Accordingly, each tieback rod 38 is embedded into the soil and/or rockin these intervals. As shown in FIG. 2, each tieback rod 38 extendsthrough an opening 39 formed in the rear surface of its respective wallblock 14 such that a proximal portion 40 of the rod 38 extends into thecontinuous elongated passageway. Also positioned within the passageway34 is a tieback rod attachment mechanism 42. The attachment mechanism 42normally includes a pair of elongated force distribution members 44, 46that extend from one tieback rod 26 to the next along the passageway 34and which are positioned above and below the tieback rods 38 asindicated in FIG. 1. Typically, each force distribution member 44, 46comprises an elongated channel beam that is flanged so as to cooperatemore readily with washers described below. Arranged in this manner, eachpassageway 34 having tieback rods 38 extending therein includes aplurality of force distribution members 44, 46 aligned end to end bothabove and below the rods. To maintain parallel spacing between the forcedistribution members 44, 46, the attachment mechanism 42 can includespacers 47 that are positioned adjacent each rod 38 on both sides of therod as indicated in FIG. 1. Normally, the height of these spacers 47generally approximates the diameter of the tieback rods 38.

[0016] As shown in FIG. 2, a pair of flanged washers 48, 50 partiallysurround the upper and lower pairs of force distribution members 44 and46, and are fitted about each tieback bar 38. To accommodate therearmost 50 of the washers, each wall block 14 accommodating a tiebackrod 38 normally is provided with an inner channel 54 that is sized andconfigured for receipt of the washer 50. Threaded onto each tieback rod38 is a conventional threaded fastener 56 such as a nut which, whenfully tightened, urges the washers 48, 50 inwardly to securely hold theforce distribution members 44, 46 in position, thereby securing the rodto the wall 10. Normally, this tightening is achieved by accessing theinterior of the block 14 by removing a face covering portion 57 of theblock. Once fully tightened, the fastener 56 can be bonded in place withepoxy to prevent its inadvertent loosening. After the fastener 56 hasbeen fixed in place, the face covering portion 57 of the block 14 can besecured to the block so that it matches the other blocks forming thewall. Configured in this manner, each tieback connection 36 evenlydistributes any forces exerted on the tieback rods 38 throughout thewall 10 to greatly improve wall integrity.

[0017]FIG. 4 illustrates a second embodiment 58 of an anchoring systemconstructed in accordance with the present invention. This embodiment isstructurally similar to the system depicted in FIGS. 1-3 and describedabove. Accordingly, the force distribution members 44, 46, flangedwashers 48, 50, as well as the fastener 56, are used to secure thetieback rods 38 to the wall 10. However, in this embodiment, the rods 38are secured with a reinforcement member 60 such as a geogrid wrapinstead of directly to a wall block 14 such that the reinforcementmember 60 is positioned outside of but adjacent to the interior surface20 of the wall. Because of this arrangement, the blocks 14 need notcomprise interior openings 32, as in the first embodiment. Preferred forthe construction of the reinforcement member 60 is geogrid material thatcomprises flexible fabric composed of a polymeric material such aspolypropylene or high tenacity polyester. As shown most clearly in FIG.4, the reinforcement member 60 extends from the exterior surface 18 ofthe retaining wall 10, into a lock channel 24 of the lower adjacent wallblock 14, out from the wall and into a portion of the stone fill 62formed between the wall and the soil and/or rock, wraps around the forcedistribution members 44, 46, and then extends back underneath the upperadjacent block 14 (into the wall), into the lock channel 24 of the upperadjacent block, and back to the exterior surface of the wall 18, tracinga substantially C-shaped path.

[0018] In the wall system illustrated in FIG. 4, the reinforcementmember 60 is locked to the wall 10 with a pair of retaining bars 64 thatare positioned in the two lock channels 24 adjacent the tieback rod 38.These retaining bars 64 lie atop the reinforcement member 60 and holdsit against the rear walls of the locking channels 24 to prevent thereinforcement member from being pulled out from the retaining wall 10.Although such retaining means are preferred, it will be understood thatother types of retaining means could be used. When a tensile force isapplied to the tieback rod 38 and translated to the reinforcement member60, the retaining bars 64 are urged towards the rear wall of thechannels 24, locking the reinforcement member in place. Thus, like thesystem of the first embodiment, the anchoring system of the secondembodiment similarly distributes the forces exerted by the soil and/orrock of the embankment throughout the retaining wall 10.

[0019] While preferred embodiments of the invention have been disclosedin detail in the foregoing description and drawings, it will beunderstood by those skilled in the art that variations and modificationsthereof can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of theinvention. For instance, although the anchoring system of the firstembodiment herein is described and shown in use with a retaining wallhaving horizontal inner passageways, it is to be appreciated that thissystems easily could be adapted for use with a retaining wall havingvertical inner passageways.

1. A retaining wall anchoring system for a segmental retaining wallhaving a transverse passageway formed therein, comprising: at least onetieback rod adapted to be embedded into soil or rock with a proximalportion of said at least one tieback rod extending into the transversepassageway; and a force distribution member adapted to be positioneddirectly adjacent said proximal portion of said at least one tieback rodwithin the passageway; wherein tensile forces imposed on said at leastone tieback rod are transmitted to said force distribution member so asto distribute the tensile forces throughout a portion of the retainingwall.
 2. The system of claim 1, further comprising at least one washerpositionable about said proximal portion of said at least one tiebackrod in abutment with said force distribution member.
 3. The system ofclaim 1, further comprising at least one fastener fixedly secured tosaid proximal portion of said at least one tieback rod that securelyclamps said force distribution member to said at least one tieback rod.4. The system of claim 3, wherein said proximal portion of said at leastone tieback rod is threaded and said at least one fastener comprises atleast one threaded nut.
 5. The system of claim 1, wherein said systemincludes at least two force distribution members adapted to bepositioned on opposite sides of said at least one tieback rod.
 6. Thesystem of claim 1, wherein said force distribution member is flanged. 7.The system of claim 1, further comprising two washers being positionableon opposite sides of said force distribution member so as to clamp saidforce distribution member therebetween.
 8. The system of claim 7,wherein each washer is flanged so as to partially surround said forcedistribution member.
 9. A segmental retaining wall, comprising: atransverse passageway formed within said wall; a plurality of tiebackrods adapted to be embedded into soil or rock and each having a proximalportion extending into said passageway; and a force distribution memberpositioned within said transverse passageway directly adjacent saidproximal portions of said tieback rods; wherein tensile forces imposedupon said tieback rods are transmitted to said force distribution memberso as to distribute the tensile forces throughout a portion of saidretaining wall.
 10. The wall of claim 9, further comprising a pluralityof washers positioned about said proximal portions of said tieback rodsin abutment with said force distribution member.
 11. The wall of claim9, further comprising a plurality of fasteners fixedly secured to saidproximal portions of said tieback rods that securely clamp said forcedistribution member to at least one of said tieback rods.
 12. The wallof claim 11, wherein said proximal portions of said tieback rods arethreaded and said fasteners comprise threaded nuts.
 13. The wall ofclaim 9, wherein said wall includes at least two force distributionmembers disposed within said passage on opposite sides of one of saidtieback rods.
 14. The wall of claim 9, wherein said force distributionmember is flanged.
 15. The wall of claim 9, further comprising aplurality of washers positioned on opposite sides of said forcedistribution member so as to clamp said force distribution membertherebetween.
 16. The wall of claim 9, wherein each washer is flanged soas to partially surround said force distribution member.
 17. The wall ofclaim 9, wherein said retaining wall comprises a plurality of blocksstacked in courses.
 18. The wall of claim 17, wherein said blocks in oneof said courses includes said transverse passageway.
 19. The wall ofclaim 17, wherein said blocks include complementary lock channels andflanges that cooperate when said blocks are stacked in courses torestrict relative movement between vertically adjacent blocks.